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16:10Prime Minister, Captain.
16:20Sixty bodies recovered so far.
16:22And counting.
16:26Quiet! Quiet!
16:28Quiet!
16:31Quiet!
16:57Back to work, everyone!
16:59Back to work.
17:04Every time the whistle blows, it makes they think they've heard something.
17:07Another child trapped beneath the wreckage.
17:09One, two, three, two, three, two, one.
17:23One step.
17:24Stop.
17:24Come on, sir.
17:57I guarantee you the highest-level independent inquiry into this tragedy.
18:05All the necessary attacks will be given to those in charge to take whatever action they need.
18:14Have they neglected this?
18:15Does the blame lie on the matter?
18:17Have they neglected this?
18:19Have they neglected this?
18:20No intention of adding to anything I've made in my state.
18:25It's a bit late now.
18:28We've been turning our room for you as those tips are dangerous.
18:38There was a disaster waiting to happen, and no one listened.
18:43The number of casualties in the tiff disaster in South Wales could be as high as 200.
18:47Thirty-six people remain in hospital.
18:50Fletcher bodies have been recovered, and estimates suggest that as many as 150 more are still missing, most of them
18:56children.
19:06What are you doing?
19:08You haven't heard the news.
19:10No?
19:11I've been at Caroline's birthday party.
19:14When you read the papers tomorrow, you'll understand.
19:25I've been reading the papers for last year!
19:25It's pretty close to my mouth.
19:25To make your head go away.
19:25You have literally finished the words ah-mailed!
19:57The smoke continues to hamper rescue efforts tonight in the village of Aberfan, South Wales.
20:02There's so far 67 bodies, mostly children, have been pulled from the wreckage of Pant Glass Junior School,
20:08which was struck by coal waste from a nearby tip.
20:11Hope remains for many more still missing, but work to recover bodies is likely to continue through the night.
20:18The Prime Minister Harold Wilson visited the scene today, and Buckingham Palace have issued a statement of sorrow from the
20:24Queen.
20:24The message reads, I am shocked and distressed to learn of the terrible disaster which has taken place at Aberfan.
20:30Please convey a message of my heartfelt sympathy from my husband and myself to the children's parents and to the
20:36families of those who have lost their lives.
20:39That's the news from us at the moment. Now back to London.
20:43There will be special reports during the evening.
21:10The Prime Minister.
21:13As of an hour ago, the loss of life in Aberfan stands at 116.
21:18It appears that over 80 are still missing. 36 of the survivors have been hospitalised.
21:24I see. Are any more victims expected to be found?
21:28Not alive, ma'am.
21:30To make matters worse, it has been reported that the north shoulder of Tip 7 has moved,
21:34and the village is ready for immediate evacuation.
21:37Mechanical diggers are out of action, bogged down in the soggy mud.
21:46Now, given all this, I was hoping I might persuade you to go.
21:55One of the most unfortunate things about being sovereign I have discovered
21:59is that you've paralysed virtually any situation you walk into.
22:02The very last thing emergency and rescue services need when they're working against the clock
22:08is a queen turning up.
22:16I'm not sure I agree.
22:20Children have died.
22:22The community is devastated.
22:26What precisely would you have me do?
22:32Well, comfort people.
22:34Put on a show?
22:36The Crown doesn't do that.
22:41I didn't say put on a show.
22:43I said comfort people.
23:01Your Majesty.
23:39Good morning, darling.
23:41Tea?
23:41Would anyone object if I had something stronger?
23:44Coffee?
23:45No.
23:46I was making whiskey.
23:47Oh.
23:47Margaret, it's nine o'clock.
23:49Yes, I know.
23:50But it's not morning.
23:52Not in my world, anyway.
23:55Tony called.
23:57In the small hours.
23:58From a pool box.
24:01In the middle of nowhere.
24:03PHONE RINGS
24:07Oh, it's me.
24:10Can you do something for me?
24:12You told me to go into the children's bedroom.
24:16And kiss them.
24:18While they slept.
24:24As soon as he got to Aberfan, he went straight to the school.
24:38It was unimaginably awful.
24:43Miners used to digging for coal, now digging to reach their children.
24:53Many of them spent several hours stuck under the mud beside dead friends.
24:58Buried alive.
25:00Running out of there.
25:04He then went to the mortuary, where people were waiting to identify the children's bodies.
25:12Nurses and Salvation Army volunteers.
25:14They were writing a description of each adult, each child.
25:20Noting any possessions they found in their pockets.
25:25Like a handkerchief or sweets.
25:29Anything.
25:30To help identify them.
25:32To help identify them.
25:45From there I went to the hospital.
25:49There he comforted a man.
25:51He was holding his son's school cap.
25:56After the hospitals, he wanted to walk back to the house where he's due to stay.
26:01But he carried on walking.
26:06And walking.
26:09What?
26:10What?
26:11What?
26:12What?
26:12What?
26:20No, I've never heard him like that.
26:26I hope I never do again.
26:38We have Geoffrey Morgan from the National Coal Board.
26:42I'm George Thomas, Minister of State for Wales here to answer our question.
26:47Will you both accept responsibility?
26:51The National Coal Board cannot accept responsibility for the weather.
26:57Abnormal levels of rainfall have created extraordinary conditions.
27:01You've known about the spring under the tip for years.
27:05I wrote to you.
27:07So did I.
27:08That's what's caused this, not rainfall.
27:10And nothing was done.
27:12Buried alive by the National Coal Board.
27:16That's what I want to see written on my child's desk.
27:20What about romantic resistance?
27:22We've got people in dire need now.
27:26When's government going to step in?
27:30Let us be quite clear.
27:34A dreadful tragedy has taken place.
27:37But blame for that cannot be placed at the door of the Labour Party.
27:42Tip number seven was built in 1958 when the Labour Party wasn't in power.
27:49I had a visit today from certain members of the cabinet.
27:54You need to tell me who.
27:56Who are concerned that this is all turning political.
27:59Of course it's turning political.
28:02And they want you to do something to deflect the blame.
28:05Their view is.
28:07If the Labour government pay the price for this tragedy.
28:10And the Tories make political capital from it.
28:12It would be obscene.
28:13And a betrayal.
28:15Not just of the people of South Wales.
28:17But of all of us in the movement.
28:19We've been waiting for this for too long, Harold.
28:22Thirteen years in opposition.
28:24And now we're finally in power.
28:26In government.
28:27We cannot allow ourselves to be crucified on the altar of public opinion.
28:32Over something that isn't our fault.
28:34Oh.
28:35When people are angry they throw stones at their leaders.
28:38Then it's the duty not just to deflect that anger.
28:41But to show solidarity with our supporters.
28:43Oh.
28:45This is grief, Marcia.
28:47It's injustice.
28:48It's just another in a long list of injustices.
28:51There's parents grieving their children.
28:53It's also cold-hearted refusal to accept responsibility by the people who are to blame.
28:59The Tories.
29:00And now they're making us the scapegoats.
29:03Well.
29:03What do you want me to do about it?
29:06Make sure they take the blame.
29:08And if you can't blame it on the Tories.
29:10And you won't press it in the House.
29:12And you can't go after the NCB until the tribunal is over.
29:15Then perhaps we should look for another establishment figure to deflect negative attention.
29:24Who?
29:26Her.
29:28The Queen.
29:30But you must admit her behaviour is symptomatic of establishment neglect.
29:35Her behaviour is unfortunate.
29:38You went to see her today, didn't you?
29:41Yes.
29:42And you asked her again to go?
29:44Yes.
29:46And what did she say?
29:47The crown doesn't go.
29:50Something like that.
29:52The Duke of Edinburgh is now going.
29:55They pulled him away from some duck shoot.
29:58Yes, but she isn't.
30:00Perhaps there's good reason for that.
30:03Maybe she finds that kind of situation difficult.
30:07Losing your children is difficult.
30:11Losing brothers and sisters is difficult.
30:15Living in a mining village where the coal board abandons you is difficult.
30:19And instead of sticking the knife in her and allowing us all to vent our anger at someone cold-hearted,
30:24you'd sooner let your own team take the blame.
30:27You're pathetic.
30:28You disgust me.
30:29So you keep telling me.
30:30If you ever want to be a real leader, a real man, a real socialist, you're going to have to
30:37grow some balls.
30:40The MCB is a creation of the Labour Party.
30:47This is a government-made disaster.
30:52Take responsibility!
30:56Take responsibility!
31:16This physical responsibility...
31:18This physical responsibility.
31:19This physical responsibility.
31:46And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.
31:51And there shall be no more death, neither sorrow nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain.
32:03For the former things are passed away.
32:10Fear not, for I am with thee.
32:13He shall feed his flock like a shepherd.
32:17He shall gather the lambs with his arm.
32:20And carry them in his bosom.
32:22And shall gently lead those that are with young.
32:26And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in the streets thereof.
32:33And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels, and
32:42I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.
32:48I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth.
32:55I heard a voice from heaven.
33:02Amen.
33:14Amen.
33:16Amen.
33:32Amen.
33:36Amen.
33:37Absolutely.
33:54Look away like a gospel.
33:59Amen.
34:00Amen.
34:00Come on.
34:00Oh, my God.
34:30Oh, my God.
34:40Oh, my God.
34:51How was it?
34:53Extraordinary.
34:57The grief, the anger at the government, at the co-board, at God, too.
35:0681 children were buried today.
35:10The rage in all the faces behind all the guys.
35:16They didn't smash things up.
35:18They didn't fight in the streets.
35:21What did they do?
35:23They sang.
35:25The whole community.
35:27It's the most astonishing thing I've ever heard.
35:37Did you weep?
35:41Did I weep?
35:47What kind of question is that?
35:50Just a question.
35:51Did you weep?
35:54I might have wept, yes.
35:56Are you going to tell me it was inappropriate?
35:59And the fact is, anyone who heard that hymn today would not just have wept.
36:09It would have been broken into a thousand tiny pieces.
36:37I see you.
36:41Thank you for letting me know.
36:47We've had a tip-off from a friendly newspaper editor.
36:51The government, determined not to take the blame for Aberfan,
36:56have decided to refocus the subject of the national conversation.
37:03And as briefed newspaper as that.
37:07One person has been conspicuously absent from Aberfan,
37:11and that is our Queen.
37:13The scandalous lack of care and interest,
37:15one can only assume it is that by our head of state,
37:19is symptomatic of a lack of care from the traditional establishment,
37:23not just for the people of Wales, but for the whole working class.
37:36And the Prime Minister gave that his blessing?
37:41I think we have to assume so.
37:43I think we have to assume so.
38:01Ok.
38:11I think we'll be right back.
38:12I think we'll be right back.
38:15On arrival at RAF St. Athan,
38:18you will be received by Skenetra Herne,
38:21Lord-Lieutenant Viglamorgan,
38:22and taken via car to the school disaster site,
38:25in Aberfan.
38:28Then on to the Bithynia Chapel for the presentation of the heroes and survivors of the disaster
38:35There will then be a visit to the cemetery where you will lay a wreath
38:39And finally a visit to the home of a local miner, Thomas Edwards, who lost relatives in the disaster
38:45And scheduled conversations with several other grieving families
38:50A whole trip should be approximately two and a half hours
38:54Without wishing to prompt your majesty, you may wish to consider that this is Wales, not England
39:02A display of emotion would not just be considered appropriate
39:07It's expected
39:26So
39:27Amen.
40:01Amen.
40:27Amen.
40:57Amen.
41:27Amen.
41:41This is Councillor Ellis who lost seven relatives.
41:45Seven?
41:46Yes, ma'am.
41:47Three children, four nephews.
41:49I'm so sorry.
41:52Karen and Alan Jenkins, ma'am, who lost their son, Ewan, and his four cousins, Tegwin, Bryn, Maya, and Ben.
42:02Sorry.
42:04Thomas and Gwen Edwards, ma'am, whose home this is, they lost their two children.
42:11And this is Howell, Gwen's father, who managed to rescue one of the grandchildren.
42:17Sarah, she has something for you, ma'am.
42:25From the remaining children of Aberlan.
42:31You're welcome.
42:58We're so glad to have you.
43:02Oh, wow.
43:04Keneally Patrick, say so.
43:10It's very lovely.
43:39The Duke of Edinburgh said the family sang a hymn when they buried their children.
43:45Yes, ma'am.
43:48Is there any way I might hear it?
43:50I'm sure we can find a recording.
43:55And ask the Prime Minister to come and see me.
43:57As soon as possible.
43:59Yes, ma'am.
44:05Let's see.
44:06Thanks, everybody.
44:07To the other side.
44:08Oh, my God.
44:12I think we are all this.
44:16You're welcome.
44:18Thank you, everyone.
44:18See you.eatphere.
44:19Thanks. Thank you.
44:19You're
44:21you. You're
44:47The Prime Minister, Your Majesty.
44:50Your Majesty.
45:02Churchill would have had the character to do it face-to-face.
45:07Come to think of it, so would Anthony Eden and Harold Macmillan.
45:12Each of them would have had the courage to express their anger to me directly.
45:16None of them would ever have resorted to going behind my back like that.
45:23I have it on authority.
45:25You tipped off journalists that I was letting the side down by not going to Aberfan.
45:30Never.
45:31It wasn't you?
45:32No, ma'am.
45:37But perhaps one or two of my colleagues concerned at the anger being directed at the government...
45:44Broke ranks.
45:45Took matters into their own hands.
45:50It's possible.
46:03Perhaps they're right.
46:06The people of Aberfan deserved a prompt response.
46:09They didn't get one.
46:11They deserved a display of compassion, of empathy from their Queen.
46:15And they got it yesterday.
46:17They got nothing.
46:19I dabbed a bone-dry eye, and by some miracle, no-one noticed.
46:32After the Blitz, when we visited hospitals,
46:37I saw what my parents, the King and Queen, saw.
46:40They wept.
46:43I couldn't.
46:45Well, you were a child.
46:48What do you expect?
46:49Not just as a child.
46:51When my grandmother, Queen Mary,
46:54whom I loved very much,
46:57when she died,
47:01nothing.
47:05Well, she'd been ill a long time.
47:07It had been expected.
47:09When I had my first child,
47:10a moment of such significance for every mother.
47:23I have known for some time
47:25there is something wrong with me.
47:28Not wrong.
47:30Deficient, then.
47:31How else would you describe it
47:33when something is missing?
47:40These meetings are confidential, yes.
47:46I have never done a day's manual work in my life.
47:51Not one.
47:52I am an academic.
47:54A privileged Oxford dom.
47:57Not a worker.
47:59I don't like beer.
48:01I prefer brandy.
48:04I prefer wild salmon to tinned salmon.
48:08Chateaubriand to stained kidney pie.
48:12And I don't like pipe smoking.
48:16I far prefer cigars.
48:19But cigars are a symbol of capitalist privilege.
48:23So, I smoke a pipe.
48:26On the campaign trail and on television.
48:29Makes me more...
48:31approachable.
48:35Likeable.
48:40We can't be everything to everyone
48:41and still be true to ourselves.
48:46We do what we have to do as leaders.
48:49That's our job.
48:51Our job is to calm more crises than we create.
48:56That's our job.
48:57And you do it very well indeed.
49:01And in a way,
49:03your absence of emotion is a blessing.
49:07No one needs hysteria from a head of state.
49:14The truth is,
49:16we barely need humanity.
49:33Prime Minister.
49:38Your Majesty.
49:52The truth is,
49:53What's happening?
49:54How to clean.
49:54What happened?
50:08Listen,
50:09we've been having ebbs feature here.
50:29Oh, my God.
50:39While the nearer portals roll, while the tempest still is high,
50:51of the refuge of thy love, as my help has soared on thee,
51:02leave now leave me not alone, still support and support me.
51:14Will thou art me alive, with my eyes still?
51:49I am not alone.
51:49I am not alone.
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